AMUSEMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 15, 18 January 1930, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

CIVIC THEATRE,

The high standard of entertainment that the Civic Theatre, has introduced should be well maintained with the new programme, which will be presented this evening. The film entertainment will ,be a Reginald. Denny. special feature,* while the stage presentation will be in keeping with the best traditions of high class theatres. Mr. Ted Henkel and his band will be heard in a delightful number, titled "Noveletta," and this promises to. 'be something oift of the ordinary. The Civic Ballet will be introduced during the number and they will be distinguished by effective costuming and clever lighting effects. Mr. Fred Seholl will play several numbers on the grand organ. The picture, "Embarrassing Moments," is a Universal all-talking comedy, which should send the audience away in a good humour. This is claimed to be Denny's best production. He is supported by Merna Kennedy, Otis Harlan, William Austin, Virginia Sale and others. The story deals with the; idea of a "trial marriage" in ■ a small minded provincial (town. There are intensely amusing situations, the whole production being a "scream." Several shorter films of topical interest will also 'be shown. . •"

NATIONAL THEATRE. Do you believe in a single standard af conduct for man and woman? This :juery may be answered at the National Theatre, where Greta Garbo. puts, the woman's case in a fine Metro-Goldwyn film titled "The Single Standard." "Sauce for the goose ," This is the essence of the story in which oceans of surging emotions liavo full play on the -Pacific. There are raging tides of love in the South Seas. Playing with the feminine star is Nils Asther and the romance they work out is highly entertaining. This film is a picturisation of the best seller of Adela Rogers St. John. It is well done in every way, the photography deserving special mention. A supporting picture is "The Love Trap" with Laura La Plante in the leading role. The star wears a stunning array of feminine finery ill her celluloid transition from chorus girl to the bride of a millionaire. Starting out in a revue girl's rehearsal costume, the picture finishes with the star in silken pyjamas trimmed with rare old lace, and in the interim she wears many gorgeous gowns. Neil Hamilton supports Miss La Plante as leading man, with Robert Ellis, Norman Trevor, Clarissa Selwynn, Jocelyn Lee, Rita La Roy and other notable players in the cast. ■. . . ' ■ ROXY AND EMPRESS. A splendid double feature programme is announced for the Roxy Theatre, Queen Street, and the Empress Theatre, Newton, to-day. The headline attraction at both theatres is "Mother's Boy," with Morton Downey, the noted tenor, in the leading role. His voice is fine and reproduces splendidly. He is responsible for several special songs, and in all he displays the finished, artist. The story itself is appealing and deals with the sacrifice of a mother for her son. Beryl; Mercer, who acquitted herself so well in "Three Live Ghosts," has the mother part and again displays her remarkable'acting talent. In the second feature "Square .-Shoulders," life: in a military training . college is depicted. There is a clever : plot, while a strong cast does good'AVork in all'*departments. Junior Coghlan • and Louis Wolheim are the featured players' and act splendidly in combination. Good supports are included in l the programme..' " ) PLAZA THEATRE. '"Two Weeks Off" is the main attraction at the Plaza .Theatre. The plot deals with a shop-girl who finds herself at a seaside holiday -resort during- a spell of rainy weather. To while away the monotony she engages in- a- flirtation with a plumber, also enjoying a holiday, who poses as a well-know cinema celebrity. The unmasking of the • pseudoactor leMs to an estrangement between the two,' but eventually/ a reconciliation is effected, and the romance begun on the 'beach concludes With a wedding, in the city. Dorothy Mackaill and- Jack Mulhall, who have played opposite each other -in many former First National successes, appear to advantage in the leading roles. " The second . attraction is "The Fall of. Eve," which has just concluded a successful season at the Civic. . >■>~ ,

CRYSTAL PALACE. ■The new programme at the Crystal Palace Theatre, Mount Eden . Road, should draw • crowded- audiences! 'The main feature is "Innocents' of Paris," with Maurice Chevalier in the leading role. Chevalier is immensely popular, and.he earned the reputation of being the idol of Paris. In New York and elsewhere he'has an immense following, and his picture when presented in Queen Street had a' most successful season. It was in' "Innocents of Paris" that the French artist made his screen debut, and his fine work and splendid personality lifted him instantaneously into the top flight of screen stars. In addition to the main feature a full programme of featurettes will be screened.

CAPITOL THEATRE. "The .1929 Fox Follies" is the special all-talking, singing and dancing attraction at the Capitol Theatre. It consists of snappy songs, fashions in natural colour,. gorgeous girls and brilliant . comedy. > There are a number o all-talking-special supports. ONEHUNGA PICTURES. An all-talking picture titled "Careers,", with" Billie • Dove' and Antonio Moreno, will be the main attraction at the Onehunga Pictures to-night. There will be a full-supporting programme. GRAND THEATRE. "Love Never Dies," with Colleen Moore in tlie leading role,is the special attraction at the Grand Theatre. This film is synchronised with sound and music. It is."the sweetest love "story ever filmed and has had a successful season wherever screened. There, is a- _supporting programme of' special talkie supports. ; LYRIC THEATRE. Milton Sills and Doris Kenyon are the leading characters in "The Hawk's Nest," the headline . attraction at . the ; Lyric Theatre. Asupporting film is 'The Fleet's In." In this picture the popular Clara Bow has .the leading role.. , , PRINCE EDWARD. "The Little" Wildcat""is"the title"of the new talkie being screened -at ■ the Prince Edward; Theatre. • It is ; a" Warner Bros/ Vitaphoiie production, with - an. all-star cast, Musical. and talkie supports are included in the programme. f EDENDALE THEATRE. ' I At' the' Edendale Theatre "a first-class talking programme is being presented; This'is "Madame -X/' 'which ; had such a splendid season in Queen Street recently; Ruth Chatterton is -cast in the main role, and her< fine acting and splendid voice, make die'film an'outstanding production. ' .' V • ■

MAJESTIC THEATRE. "Big Time," a backstage romance made by Fox Movietone," which is the attraction at the Majestic Theatre, features Lee Tracy, M a ® Clarke and Josephine Dunn. The first two named came; from the New' York stage, where they, made individual successes in musical comedy and dramatic productions.. Daphne Pollard, celebrated comedienne of the screen, and Stepin Fetchit, inimitable negro comedian, provide the laughs, and there are many from this rollicking pair. The story, directed by Kenneth Hawks, concerns a small time hoofer who has an exaggerated idea of his; ability and a talented chorus girl who is in love with him. They marry and a : naturally interesting event follows. After this event he teams up with another girl and this arrogant song and dance , man

"flops" and can't .get another.stage job,! finally drifting down into despair. How the egotistical hoofer" is finally made to realise his shortcomings and'is converted to a more humble outlook..on: life, provides a most interesting and dramatic story, which is punctuated by many backstage sidelights and some unusual comedy. There are some . excellent supports, while' Mr. Whitford Waugli's orchestra adds considerably to the enjoyment. , • ; • ") STRAND THEATRE. ..!■ It is a long time since there was ,a more humorous film screened ' than "Welcome Danger," Harold Lloyd's first all-talking special feature film. It is a laugh-thrill mystery story in. which Lloyd is at his very best. Incident after incident of real, comedy'follow: one another in rapid succession, the star's voice beirg pleasant and very distinct.' In fact it is one of, the most natural voices yet heard from Hollywood. His humour is ciean-cut and infectious, .the story giving him great scope for his excellent acting and comedy work. It is in his actions that Lloyd is so irresistible. He does inany strange things in such droll manner that the audience can't Mielp exploding. Lloyd was one of the most popular comedians of silent days, such pictures as "Speedy" and many others having enjoyed phenomenal runs. Some there were who predicted that Lloyd would not be nearly so good in talking pictures, but the present production gives this the lie direct, and it k doubtful if any of his silent films had such entertainment qualities as the present picture. An excellent programme of supports is also , being screened.

ST. JAMES' THEATRE. "The Gold Diggers of Broadway" has set a. high-water mark in talkies, proof of which lies in the fact that for 21 days and nights, the "house full" sign has gone up before the curtain has risen at St. James' Theatre. Enthusiasm remains unabated in the fourth week of this picture's run of spectacular dance, comedy and music. Bookings are now being made up to next Thursday, and a fresh plan for next Friday and Saturday will be opened on Monday. " ARCADIA THEATRE. « A popular film of an all-talking, character is "Fashions in Love," which is at the Arcadia Theatre, Karangahape Road. In this attraction Adolphe Menjou and Fay Compton are the featured players. A fine supporting programme includes "A Bird in the Hand," an all-talking comedy, "The Harmony Boys," musical number, a Fox Movietone News, and an Audio Review.

' ; GREY LYNN CINEMA. ' The talking picture, "The Younger Generation,"' is attracting large attend--ances to the Grey Lynn Cinema. Jean Hersholt is the featured, player. t He has a'great reputation as a character actor, and his impersonation in the present film is one of his best. There is a full programme of supports. LUNA PARK. . Luna Park is attracting large attendances nightly. There is fun for young and old in the open air. Several special attractions have been prepared for patrons looking for new. thrills. Out\ standing among the many fine side show attractions are the death-defying motor cycle acts by Miss May Staig, and the hair-raising illusion, "Death on the Guillotine,"'in which the young woman is "beheaded" in full view of the audience. ' All the permanent laughter contraptions continue to thrill. MUNICIPAL MUSIC. An interesting musical, programme will be played by the Municipal Band in the Zoological Park to-morrow afternoon, and in the Albert Park at 8.30 in the evening. Among, the items to be rendered are the overtures "Harmoniana" and "Morning, Noon and Night," selections "Eigoletto," "Reminiscences of Wales" and "Moses in Egypt," Dvorak's Slavonic Dances, 1 . Nos.. 7 and 8, suite "Scenes Pittoresque," together with .bright marches, hymn tunes and instrumental solos by Messrs. Bowes, Davies and McLennan, and many other tunefulitems.

DANCING. , At Dixieland there will be high revel to-night, and dancing will continue till midnight. All the latest hits will be played by the Famous Dixieland Dance Band. A gay carnival will distinguish the Pirate Shippe at Milford to-night. Ye Versatile Pirates will provide the latest music. Transport arrangements' are advertised. There-will be two hours of jazz at ■ the conclusion of the picture • screening •• at the Picturedrome, Milford, to-night. ■ Two ,houi^ 5 of gay dancing will be ; the order of the evening at the Moulin Rouge after the pictures;.to*night. At the Delta Theatre, New Lynn,there will be two hours of dancing after the picture screening to-night. . ; . The-Druids' Old-Time Cabaret will be in session to-night at North . Street, •Newton. The -Famous}- Revellers will play the latest music. •At the Orange Hall':to-night the Felix Dance Club will hold a dance with Hubert "Hoffman's orchestra in attendance. Every ■ Saturday night at the Municipal Hall, Newmarket, an old-time dance is held. A first-class orchestra plays the ■best music. ; The Ventura Dance Club will be in session at St. - Sepulchre Hall•> to-night.' Bendall's Collegians will; play. . ' ' The Ngaroma Social' Club will' hold another old-time dance in the Man* Chester Unity ,Hall. this evening: Mrs,. Northover's orchestra will supply, . the music. •An-old-time dance will be held by.the Grey Lynn Laibour. party in the O'Neill ■Street, Hall, P-onsonby, . this . evening.. Paltridge'e All Soloists' Orchestra Will •oe in attendance. ,t j A plain, fancy dress and mask car-; nival ball will be held •on Anniversary eve ; ( January 28):, at the. Delta.Theatre, NeW; Lynn. -Novelties and favours - are announced. .. . . „ . ; The Parisian Dancing Studio are having an evening, to-night in ..Whitehall Buildings, whne the ..studio orchestra,, conducted by Miss Al. Clarke, will play a : programme of dance music.

REGENT THEATRE. Splendid entertainment is provided at the Regent Theatre, the orchestra and stage presentation adding to the enjoyment of the picture programme which is the main attraction. The principal talking film is "Fast Company," a Paramount production. It is a laugh riot of the baseball field, with a boy who was a braggart with a heart of gold. Chester Conklin, the noted character actor, who was last seen as the studio night watchman in "The Studio Murder Mystery," plays an important comedy role in this film adaptation of Ring Lardner's play, "Elmer the Great." The hero, played by Jack Oakie, is a boastful but lovable slangster, who falls into the fast company of smart city-bred people, including a show girl and some crafty gamblers, and he almost ruins his own and his team's_chances for victory on the day of the final game of the world's championship, when something happens to 'change the whole aspect of the plot. Oakie is a new type of comedian on the screen, and he will add thousands of admirers to his string with his swaggering comedy. Evelyn Brent, as the girl who spurns him but later warms to his native charm, does as usual an excellent interpretation of the part allotted her. Richard ("Skeets") Gallagher plays the part of Oakie's manager, and Gwen Lee adds a full quota of feminine charm as an actress. The overture "The Thistle" (Middleton) was played on the Regent grand organ by Mr. Ewart A specialty item was given by Miss Dinah Greening, banjoist. The Regent syncopators, under the baton of Mr. Whiteford Waugh, played some excellent numbers. The featurettes included a news reel in sound, a dialogue novelty, "What Do I Care?" and Rogers and Hart in "Makers of Melody." VICTORIA THEATRE. A double-feature silent programme will be screened at the Victoria Theatre, Devonport, to-night. The headline attraction will be "Modern Love," with Jeian Hersholt and Charlie Chase in the leading roles. This will be followed by "The Wonderful Lie," a thrilling drama with an all-star cast of Continental players. PONSONBY BOYS' BAND. The Ponsonby Boys' Band, which has been touring various parts of the North Island, will give a concert in the Brittannia Theatre, Three Lamps, to-morrow. The band is well-known as one of the finest organisations of its kind in the Dominion. -A fine programme has been arranged. MUNICIPAL CONCERT. The Municipal; Band held a very successful concert at the Point Chevalier Reserve 011 Thursday night. Though the weather was inclined to be wet, there was a good attendance, who thoroughly appreciated the selections played. The •band will give three more concerts in the same place. MOULIN ROUGE. A Paramount special sound-synchro-nised story of the advance of civilisation on the Red Indians of North America, entitled "Redskin," will be shown in technicolour at the Moulin Rouge, Remuera, this evening. The scene is laid amongst the great canyons, which are shown in their natural colours. Richard Dix takes the leading role. The supports include news, scenic two hours' programme, *nd will be followed by two hours of carnival jazzing to the music of Walter Smith's peppy syncopators. The screen programme will be repeated on Monday.